Two-time College of Business graduate Jose Tomas ’92, MS ’03 began his rise to human resource leadership working at Publix Super Markets in Miami. Over the next 20 years, he held top-level positions in the healthcare, food service and transportation and logistics industries.

On July 1, 2017, Tomas became the senior vice president of global human resources at General Motors. He reports to GM’s CEO, Mary Barra, and serves on the automaker’s senior leadership team.

“I had read quite a bit about the transformation going on here [at GM], and I wanted to be part of it,” said Tomas, who oversees human resources for all of GM. “It’s the biggest challenge I’ve had, from a career standpoint.”

Tomas remembers the early days, when he began bagging groceries at Publix blocks away from his high school and later while at FIU. He stayed with Publix for 17 years – the first eight in operations, followed by a run as manager and later in human resources.

When it came to selecting a college, Tomas said FIU was the right choice for him at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.